Six Nations Championship

The Six Nations Championship is 1 of the best rugby tournaments, and 1 of the oldest, in the world. Originally, the tournament was called the Home International Championship and had only 4 countries competing, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The 1st Home International Championship was held in 1883. France joined in 1910 and the tournament was renamed the Five Nations Championship. Italy joined just 12 years ago and it has been called the Six Nations Championship ever since. 


England was victorious in last years tournament but France and Wales had the advantage coming in as they finished 2nd and 4th respectively in the Rugby World Cup last year. Ireland and England lost in the Quarters of the tournament. Ireland to Wales and England to France. Scotland and Italy failed to get past the 1st round. At the start of the tournament, France was 3rd in the IRB's (International Rugby Board) Rankings, England was 5th, Ireland 6th, Wales 8th, Scotland 10th, and Italy 12th.


Wales started off well with a 23-21 victory over Ireland in Ireland when Leigh Halfpenny kicked a penalty in the last minute to win. England won 13-6 vs Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. With the victory, England won the Calcutta Cup. The Cup is given to the winner of England-Scotland game. France dominated Italy 30-12  to get the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy. This award is given to the winner of the France-Italy game. 

Italy vs England in the snow
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In Week 2, England defeated Italy 19-15 and Wales beat Scotland 27-12. The other match-up between France and Ireland at Stade de France was postponed for the 1st time since 1985. It was called off 10 minutes before kick-off because of parts of the pitch were icy. Fans at the game were furious and were jeering. Nothing the players could do, including applauding the crowd, could help. 


The clubs had a week off and then resumed on February 25th. In the 1st game of Week 3, Ireland blew out Italy 42-10. Wales defeated England 19-12 to win the Triple crown. The Triple Crown is awarded given out to 1 of the British Isles teams that beats each of the other teams. France beat  Scotland 23-17. 


The game between France and Ireland was made up in the 2nd off week of the tournament. France came back from 11 points down to tie it at 17 and thats how it ended, in a 17-17 tie.


Week 4 had a match-up of England and France in which England upset France 24-22. Wales won against Italy 24-3. Ireland beat Scotland 32-14 to get the Centenary Quatch, an award given to the winner of Ireland-Scotland.

Wales celebrates as Champs
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The Wooden Spoon award for the worst team of the tournament. For the last 4 years the "honor" went to Italy. This year, the game between Scotland and Italy during Week 5 would decide who got the spoon. Italy beat Scotland 13-6 as Scotland got the Wooden Spoon. England beat Ireland 30-9 to get the Millennium Trophy, a trophy given to the winner of the England-Ireland match-up. Wales defeated France 16-9 to win not only the Championship, but another award, the Grand Slam. The Grand Slam is the award that is given to the team that wins all of it's games in the tournament. 

NBA Trade Deadline

Here is a report on some trades (and non trades) that when down on the day of the NBA Trade Deadline.

Dwight Howard Decided To Stay In Orlando
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Dwight Howard To Stay in Orlando


Dwight Howard announced that he will stay in Orlando for at least the 2012-13 season. Even though it was not a trade, the 6 time All-Star's announcement was the biggest story of the season's Trade Deadline. For the whole season he was on the Trading Block and was non-committal on wanting to stay. Howard was rumored to want to head to New Jersey and help the franchise with their move to Brooklyn, but at the moment, it is not meant to be.


Nets Acquire Gerald Wallace From Portland


F Gerald Wallace was traded to Portland from Charlotte last year at the deadline. Again, he's moving midseason from 1 coast to another coast. Gerald Wallace was sent to New Jersey for Memhet Okur, Shawne Williams, and a 1st Round Pick. In my mind, Wallace is a very good player who will help a defense that is ranked 25th in league in points allowed. The 1st Round Pick is a very interesting part of this trade. If the pick is not in the top 3, it is Portland's. Portland also traded C Marcus Camby to Houston for Jonny Flynn, Hasheem Thabeet, and a 2nd Rounder. 


Stephen Jackson Gets Traded... and Then Traded Again


On Tuesday, Stephen Jackson went to Golden State with Andrew Bogut in the trade that brought Monta Ellis, Kwame Brown, and Ekpe Udoh to the Bucks. Then, after not even playing in 1 game for the Warriors, he was traded to San Antonio for Richard Jefferson and a 2012 1st Rounder. Jackson had previously played for both Golden State, from 2007-10, and San Antonio from 2001-03 season. He won an NBA Championship with San Antonio in the 2002-03 season.

Nene
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Nene Heads to DC, McGee to Mile High City, Young to Lob City


This 3 team trade is highlighted by Nene, who signed a 6 year, 67 million dollar contact with Denver in the offseason, being traded to the Washington Wizards. Washington also got Brain Cook and a Draft Pick. Denver recieved JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf, while Nick Young went to the Clippers. Young will help a team that needs a explosive shooting guard to imporve a backcourt with mostly PG's. McGee is very athletic more a man his size and Nene is going to give John Wall a partner-in-crime. 


Lakers Trade A PG in 1 Trade, Get 1 In Another


The Lakers got rid of Derek Fisher today, with a 1st Round Draft Pick, by sending him to the Houston Rockets. In return, they got C Jordan Hill. That wasn't all the Lakers did. They gained G Ramon Sessions, G Christian Eyenga, and the right to swap drat picks with the Heat's 1st Rounder in an acquisition with Cleveland for Luke Walton, Jason Kapono and a 1st Round Pick. Los Angeles didn't get a superstar point guard, but they did get younger overall, which is what this team needs.


Barbosa Heads To Indiana


Leandro Barbosa has been traded to Indiana for a 2nd Round Pick. G Anthony Carter was reported to be in the deal but that rumor was false. This gives Indiana more experience and a good back-up guard that can work his way into the system.

Arena & Indoor Football Preview & Review of 1st Couple Weeks

It's the time of year when arena and indoor football start their seasons. A couple leagues have already started their seasons, but most of the leagues are starting soon. Below are reports on the arena/indoor football leagues playing this spring.


Arena Football League


The Arena Football League is the premier arena football league and is in it's 25th season. It has its first game tomorrow with the Pittsburgh Power facing off against Orlando Predators at 8 pm on NFL Network.  The game is being called the Hall of Fame Game because the Arena Football League Hall of Fame class of 2011 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Members of the class include QB Kurt Warner, WR Eddie Brown, and WR/DB Barry Wagner.

Aaron Garcia is one of the best in AFL History
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The defending champions are the Jacksonville Sharks. The Sharks won ArenaBowl XXIV over the Arizona Rattlers 73-70. They were lead by QB Aaron Garcia. Garcia had a career year with 116 TDs, 4933 passing yards, and 402 completions on 562 attempts for a 71.5 completion percentage The 41 year old Garcia left in the offseason and signed the San Antonio Talons, who just relocated from Tulsa. Jomo Wilson caught 43 of Garcia's 116 TD's and joined him San Antonio. 


The Tampa Bay Storm are the only team that has played in every season of the Arena Football League. Originally, the Storm were in Pittsburgh and played as the Gladiators. Pittsburgh beat the Washington Commanders in the 1st official AFL game, 48-46. They moved to the Tampa area after the 1990 season and became the Storm.  They played in the Florida Suncoast Dome (now Tropicana Field). They moved to Ice Palace, now the Tampa Bay Times Forum in 1997.  Since their move to the Tampa, the Storm have won 5 ArenaBowls, ArenaBowl V, ArenaBowl VII, ArenaBowl IX, ArenaBowl X, and ArenaBowl XVII. After missing the playoffs last year, Tampa Bay really wants to get back into the playoffs for their 25th season. 


Indoor Football League 


The Indoor Football League started a couple weeks before every league, with their 1st game on February 19th between the Bloomington Edge and Chicago Slaughter in the Kick Off Classic. The Sioux Falls Storm won last years United Bowl over the Tri-Cities Fever. Sioux Falls' QB Chris Dixon is a 2 time IFL MVP and had 74 passing TD's and 21 TD's on the ground. They look  are looking to make their 3rd straight United Bowl and win their 2nd. 

Terrell Owens with the Allen Wranglers
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The biggest news in the offseason of arena/indoor football was 6 time Pro Bowler and 5 time All Pro WR Terrell Owens signing with the IFL's Allen Wranglers. TO also got a stake in the ownership of the Wranglers. Throwing to Owens is dual threat Bryan Randell. Randell, the 2010 IFL MVP, joined the Wranglers after spending his 2011 season with the Richmond Raiders of the SIFL. In the team's first game, Owens caught 3 passes for 53 yards. All of his catches were for TD's. He didn't catch 1 ball in the 2nd game against the Everest Raptors.


American Indoor Football 


The American Indoor Football is having it's first season as the American Indoor Football. From 2006-2010 the league was called the American Indoor Football Association. Last year, the teams from AIFA East Division merged with the SIFL. After a season of the merger, the AIF CEO decided to leave the SIFL and reestablished the AIFA as the AIF. This year, the AIF is having it's All-Star Game in Cancun, Mexico. I think this is a great idea by trying to globalize the game. I don't know if it will be successful or not but I hope it is. That is probably the biggest part of their season. 

Julie Harshbarger with the Chicago Cardinals in 2010
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Continental Indoor Football League 


The Continental Indoor Football League is in their 6th season and also have 6 teams. One of their teams is the Chicago Vipers. The Vipers kicker is Julie Harshbarger, She played with the Chicago Cardinals in 2010 and the Chicago Knights in 2011, both teams are in the CIFL. Last year she was 8 for 14 on Field Goals and 19-26 on PATs giving her 43 points scored on the year. The 43 points was the most scored on the team and she was 2nd in the league in PAT percentage.


Lone Star Football League 


The Lone Star Football League is having it 1st season, starting March 24th. All the teams are in Texas. The teams are Abilene Ruff Riders, Amarillo Venom, Corpus Christi Hammerheads, Houston Stallions, Laredo Rattlesnakes, Rio Grande Valley Magic, and West Texas Roughnecks. I really like the idea of the Lone Star Football League because Texas loves football and this can fill their need for it in he spring. I believe this league can be very successful.


Professional Indoor Football League


The Professional Indoor Football League is also having it's inaugural season too. They are going to have 6 teams for the first season from the Old Dominion to the Pelican State. The teams are Alabama Hammers, Albany Panthers, Columbus Lions, Knoxville NightHawks, Louisiana Swashbucklers, and Richmond Raiders. Richmond and Columbus are facing off in the season opener on March 10th. They league is looking to start off well.

Jared Lorenzen last year playing for the River Monsters
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United Indoor Football League


The United Indoor Football League is in it's sophomore season. The commissioner is former NFL QB Jared Lorenzen, who played in the league last year for the North Kentucky River Monsters (Now not in the league). Many teams in the league are new to the league. The had their 1st games last week. One of the games, between the Erie Explosion and the Western Pennsylvania Sting, was a blowout, 81-7. For Erie, D-Lineman Mike Robinson had 5 sacks and returned a fumble for a TD.


American Professional Football League


Like many other leagues, the American Professional Football League is having a monumental year. The APFL's 10th season starts on March 24th with a game between the Mid Missouri Outlaws and the Springfield Wolfpack and a match-up of the Oklahoma Defenders and the defending champions, Sioux City Bandits. The league has added 3 new teams this year, Cheyenne Warriors Colorado Lightning, and Oklahoma. It looks like it will be one of the best seasons of the APFL.

The Iditarod's Route

The Iditarod is one of the coolest sporting events and is the best event for sled dog racing. Formed to help remember the 1925 serum run to Nome and other memorable dog sledding organizations in 1973, the competition is having it's 40th race this year, starting tomorrow. Last year, John Baker won his 1st Iditarod with a record time of 8 days, 18 hours, 46 minutes, and 39 seconds, stopping Lance Mackey's 4 race winning streak. 

The Iditarod alternates the route for each year

Every year, the Iditarod alternates courses. For even years, they use a northern route and for odd years, a southern route is in place. The only difference in the routes is that the route from Ophir to Kaltag is different. For southern route, the checkpoints of Iditarod, Shageluk, Anvik, Grayling, and Eagle Island. The northern route incorporates Cripple, Ruby, Galena, and Nulato. The northern route is 975 miles. Below are reports on the 4 checkpoints that complete the even year's trail.




Cripple


Cripple is 73 miles from the previous checkpoint, Ophir, the longest distance between checkpoints on the trail. Cripple has a population of 0. It is the official midway point of the northern route, 495 miles from Anchorage and 480 from Nome. The first person get a halfway trophy and $3,000 in gold nuggets. 

Ruby, Alaska in 1917
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Ruby


Ruby, once called the "Gem of the Yukon", is the first checkpoint on the Yukon River and has a population of 187. Ruby once rivaled Fairbanks as the center of civilization in Mid Alaska. The Millennium Alaskan Hotel Anchorage awards the 1st person to Ruby a gourmet dinner and a cash prize. 




Galena


Galenta, also on the Yukon River, has the biggest population of the checkpoint only during northern routes with 527. The town is named after the lead sulfate ore found in the area whose chemical name is Galenta. The route from Ruby is all near the Yukon River. 


Nulato


Nulato is the last checkpoint of the 4 that is only part of the route during even years.  It has a population of 359 and of the 4 checkpoint it is the oldest town, founded in 1838. The route from Galena and the route to Katleg from Nulato are on the Yukon River. 


This year's Iditarod looks to be a good one. There are former winners of the event participating, including Baker, Mackey, Jeff King, and more. There are many newcomers to the event, too. It looks to be one of the best ever. 

NBA All Star Weekend

The NBA All-Star Weekend is the best one in sports. It is exciting, fun, and a great watch. Here's a look at some of the events.

Slam Dunk Contest Part 1: The Changes

The Slam Dunk Contest has made major changes to its format this year. Last year there were 2 rounds. 4 players started the first round and got 2 dunks each. A panel of 5 judges graded the dunks. A panel of judges used to judge the finals, too, until 2008 when they decided to declare a winner by texting. I didn't like the move when it was made, but I have learned to except it. The new changes are something I'm not sure I can accept. The first move is reducing the competition to 1 round. In that 1 round each participant will have 3 dunks. The panel of judges is also eliminated from the competition. Fans will vote the winner through texting, Twitter, and NBA.com. I really dislike this idea. I think that the fans will pick the person they like best. For example, DeMar DeRozan and JaVale McGee have had been snubbed by this system before. That means it will happen again.

Slam Dunk Contest Part 2: The Contestants

Derrick Williams is a contestant for the Slam Dunk Contest
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The changes didn't include the number of contestants. There will still be 4. Blake Griffin, DeMar DeRozan, JaVale McGee, and Serge Ibaka, the 4 contestants from last year's great contest, will not compete again this year. The participants are Houston's Chase Budinger, Utah's Jeremy Evans,  Indiana's Paul George, and Minnesota's Derrick Williams. New York's Iman Shumpart was supposed to be in it but he had to drop out due to injury. This is not as star-studded as it has been, but it has potential. All of the players were drafted in the last 3 drafts and are all rising stars. One or more of them can make a name for themselves. If no one does, the contest might be a bore.

Three Point Contest

The three point contest is all about getting on a roll and not stopping. That is what happens with every winner. They get on fire and the rest is history. 6 players, 4 new to the contest, are looking to make history and take the title. They range from post men to runner of the offense. These players are Orlando's Ryan Anderson, Miami's Mario Chalmers, Atlanta's Joe Johnson, the defending champ, Miami's James Jones, Minnesota's  Kevin Love, and New Jersey's Anthony Morrow. All of them can knock down a 3 pointer, but it all depends on who can get on a roll. 

Skills Competition 

The Skills Competition isn't really a thriller but it's fun to watch. This year's competitors are Golden State's Stephan Curry, the defending champ, Cleveland's Kyrie Irving, San Antonio's Tony Parker, Washington's John Wall, Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, and New Jersey's Deron Williams. All these players have the skill set to win. Each one has to be on their A game. 

Rising Stars Challenge

Charles Barkley and Shaquelle O'Neal at the Rising Stars Draft
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Instead of the Rookie Challenge, which pitted a select group of rookies against a select group of sophomores, the NBA rebrand the game into a Rising Stars Challenge. The game will still have rookies and first year players, but on the same team. This year, legends and TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquelle O'Neal, picked teams from a group of pre-selected players. Before the draft, "commissioner" of the game, Kenny Smith, also a TNT analyst put rookie Norris Cole of Miami and Jeremy Lin of Knicks into the game. Shaq had the 1st pick and selected Blake Griffin. The Round Mound of Rebound took Kyrie Irving as his first pick When it all ended, Team Shaq's team had: F Blake Griffin, G Jeremy Lin, G Ricky Rubio, F Markieff Morris, C Greg Monroe, G Landry Fields, G Norris Cole, G Kemba Walker, G Brandon Knight, and F Tristin Thompson. Team Chuck had G Kyrie Irving, C DeMarcus Cousins, G/F Gordon Hayward, G/F Paul George, F Derrick Williams, G/F MarShon Brooks, G John Wall, F/C Tiago Splitter, G/F Evan Turner, and F Kawhi Leonard. Splitter is injured and has been replaced by F Derrick Favors. The roster was put in order of when they were drafted.

At first glance, Shaq looks like he got the better of the draft with the star power of Griffin, Lin and Rubio. But I like the look of Barkley's team. He got a steal by getting 2010 Draft's 1st overall pick, Wall, with his seventh pick. He also has the 2011 1st overall pick in Irving, Wall's college teammate in Cousins, and underrated swingmen in George and Brooks. This looks to be a good game with even teams.

Final Analysis

The NBA made changes to this years All Star Game are not going to ruin the weekend, but I find them risky moves. The rebranding of the Rookie Challenge came unexpectedly, but could become a hit. The changes to the Slam Dunk Contest are very surprising, considering it was at it's finest last year. You usually don't change something was recently given high praise. All in all, I am still looking excited to one of the best weekends in all of sports.

The Start of the 2012 College Baseball Season

With pitchers and catchers just starting, baseball seems like its weeks away from the start of the regular season in America. However, college baseball just finished up the first 3 days of their season. It had a lot of action for the 1st games of the year. Here are some of the top match-ups of the weekend.

Florida In Action With Cal Fullerton

Florida is ranked #1 in many of the preseason polls and was runner-up in last year's College World Series. Cal State Fullerton was ranked in the top 25. There was a lot riding on this series. 


The 1st game of the series was close through the 7th inning stretch. It was all tied up at 3. In the bottom of the 7th, Florida scored 4 runs and took a 7-3 lead. They held the Titans to no runs for the rest of the game and won. In the 2nd game, Cal State Fullerton took a 2-0 lead by scoring 1 run in the 1st and 3rd. In the 4th inning, Florida got some baserunners and brought them home, scoring 4 runs. They add an insurance run to make their lead 3 in the 8th and won 5-2. Gators 1B Preston Tucker and C Mike Zunino both had 2 hits, 1 RBI, and 1 run. In the last game of the series, Florida started off hot by scoring 3 runs in the 2nd. It looked like the sweep was in their hands. But, Cal State Fullerton scored 4 runs in both the 4th and the 5th. Florida tried coming back but could only score have 1 player cross the plate in the 7th and 8th. Cal State Fullerton won 8-5. Titan 1B Carlos Lopez and DH JD Davis both had 3 hits and 3 RBIs. 

Stanford and Vanderbilt 

This match-up was the most anticipated of the weekend. Vanderbilt made the College World Series for the 1st time last year and Stanford made the Super Regionals. Stanford is ranked inside the Top 5 and Vandy is ranked from 10th to 23rd. 

Stephen Piscotty drove in 7 runs in Game 3 of the series vs. Vandy
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In the 1st game, Stanford didn't look rusty at all, crossing the plate once in the 1st, once in the 2nd, 3 times in the 3rd, once in the 5th, once in 6th, and once in the 8th. 1B Brian Regina was 3 for 4 and 2 RBIs. Vanderbilt tried to to come back, but could only score 2 runs in the 9th to add to the 1 run they had before. Stanford won 8-3. Game 2 was much like Game 1 for Stanford. They were rolling to start the game. Scoring 1 run in the 1st, 4 in 3rd, 1 in the 4th, and 3 in the 5th. The Commodores scored more but couldn't catch up. Stanford won 9-5. The rubber game was a blow out. Stanford dominated 18-5. Stanford had a 8 and 7 run inning. Cardinal 3B Stephen Piscotty had 2 hits, 2 runs, and 7 RBIs from a 3 run double and a grand slam. 

Xavier- UNC Features Upset, Blowouts

University of North Carolina easily handled Xavier in the 1st game of a doubleheader with a 10-2 victory. Tar Heel SS Tommy Coyle scored 3 times and got 2 hits, including a 3 bagger and C Jacob Stallings had 2 runs, 2 hits, and 2 RBIs. Xavier was 30-27 last year and 14-10 in conference, which placed them 4th in the A-10. 


Game 2 of the doubleheader was much different. Xavier had a 5-0 lead at the end of the 5th. After the 7th, it was 5-4. Xavier scroed 3 in the 8th and then 2 in the 9th to close the game with a 10-4 win. C Derek Hasenbeck had 3 hits in 3 at bat with 3 RBIs and a run in his debut. Musketeers 2B Seth Willoughby was 3 for 4 and then came in to pitch in the 8th and got the save. 


In the rubber game of the series, UNC scored 6 runs in the 1st to take a 6-0. In the top of the 2nd, Xavier scored 8 runs to take a 8-6 lead. UNC scored 2 more runs to tie it up at 8 in the bottom of the 2nd. Xavier scored one run in the 4th to take the lead, but in the bottom of inning UNC scored 5 runs and the 2 in the 5th. By the time the final out was made, UNC won 16-10.

Back to Back Champ South Carolina Sweeps VMI

South Carolina has 2 College World Series victories. Both have been in the last two years. Their 2010 championship was last one ever played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium and the 2011 championship was first one ever played at the new TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. This year, they are trying to make it a 3-peat. They started their season against Virginia Military Academy.

South Carolina started the season at home at Carolina Stadium vs. VMI
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In the 1st game of the 3 game series on Friday, both teams had crossed home plate by the bottom of the 8th. 3B LB Dantlzer hit an RBI single to put South Carolina ahead 2-1. That's how the 1st game ended. The 1st game of Saturday's, South Carolina scored 1 run in the 1st and 1 in the 3rd. VMI tied it up in the 6th. In the bottom of the 6th, Gamecock C Dante Rosenberg, who went 2 for 4, hit a RBI double that scored the GWing run. In the 2nd game of the doubleheader and the last one of the series, South Carolina dominated with a 13-1 win. They blew the game open in the 3rd when the scored 4th runs. They never looked back.

Pink in Sports

Will pink ever make it into a logo?

The Miami Heat have started wearing retro uniforms of the non-related Miami Floridans of the ABA. On the uniforms there is a pink stripe running down the side. This got me wondering, can pink make it into the sports world successfully? For many years the answer was a clear cut no. The classic colors, blue, red, gray, black, and white were usually chosen in the early days. But as years went by the more colors were added into color schemes and logos. Here are uses of pink in logos.


When Breast Cancer Awareness month comes around, the NFL does a great job in spreading awareness. Many of the players were pink shoes, pink towels, and pink gloves. The color pink they use fits in well with the uniforms of the teams

The Miami Floridans (Called The Floridans from 1970-1972) played in the American Basketball Association from 1968-1972. From the 1970-71 season to the end of the next season, Miami wore uniforms that had a pink and bright orange stripe on the side. It was a style statement that made the ABA the ABA, but it wasn't a fab that lasted a while.

Can you see pink in this logo? I can
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The question is yes, pink can probably make it's way into sports. Uniquer colors have been used and have been successful. However, to succeed pink needs to head to a team that can work it in and fit well. Teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Green Bay Packers, New York Knicks, Pittsburgh Penguins are not ones that would fit.


What teams could add pink to the color scheme. Miami has two teams that could fit it in. The Miami Marlins just changed their logos, color scheme, and more. The new color scheme has a scheme that has a yellow, orange, and light blue pared with black and white. I believe a pink could work with the color scheme they have in place right now.

The Miami Heat are also a possibility. Their branding could have pink added into the red and black as a back round color. However, the Heat are not going to do this, especially since it doesn't fit their attitude. Red and black is where it is at for them.


The Toronto Raptors red can be mistaken as a dark, dark pink. So why not add a little pink flavor to the logo. It would add a little flash. What would make it even better would be to add a little purple to it. That would be a statement. 


The Houston Dynomo of the MLS might also consider putting a touch of pink in their scheme. However, just a slight amount would be a nice addition to the orange and black scheme they have in place.


All in all, I believe pink is heading into sports logos and schemes very soon.

Basketball Update: NBA, CBA, NBL of Canada, and more

DJ Augustine is the starting PG for Charlotte
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National Basketball Association


The Charlotte Bobcats have the worst record in the league at 3-20, which averages to a .130 winning percentage. They have lost 10 straight games. Why are they the worst? Well, when there best players are Corey Maggette, Gerald Henderson, and DJ Augustine in division where there are the Heatles (LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh), Atlanta (Jeff Teague, Josh Smith, and Joe Johnson), and Orlando (Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson). However, they do have Washington (2nd worst in the East) in the division, it doesn't make much of a position. 


Chinese Basketball Association 


Many players went overseas during the lockout. The players who went to China to play in the Chinese Basketball Association could not opt out of their contracts when the lockout ended. Kenyon Martin was cleared to leave and rejoin the NBA earlier this week. Here is how some of the more notable players have performed. Martin played in 12 games, averaging 13.9 ppg for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. Wilson Chandler has played in 27 games and is averaging 26.1 ppg and 11.4 rpg for the Zhejiang Lions. Playing for Guangdong Southern Tigers, Aaron Brooks is averaging 21 ppg. JR Smith is averaging 35.2 ppg for the Zhejianj Golden Bulls.


NBA Development League


The Canton Charge is the newest team in the D-League, moving from New Mexico to Canton. Their first season in the Canton Memorial Civic Center is going OK with a 13-15 record, placing them in 4th place in the Eastern Division. PG TJ Cambell has 10.8 ppg, F Tyrell Briggs is averaging 16.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg, and F Dante Milligan has 9.3 ppg and 8.9 rpg. 

Gabe Freeman is playing really well this year
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National Basketball League of Canada


The National Basketball League of Canada is in the swing of it's first season ever. The team leading the 7 team league is the London Lightning with a 21-6 record. Forward Gabe Freeman, is one of the league's top players. Freeman is averaging 12.429 rpg (1st in the league) and 18.25 ppg (2nd in the league). The worst team in the league at 7-20, the Moncton Miracles., who will need a miracle to make the playoffs.


Turkish Basketball League


Deron Williams played with Bestikas during the NBA Lockout for 7 games, and then retired his number 8. How has the team fared without D-Will? Pretty well. They are in 4th place in the TBL with a 12-4 record. They have other former NBA players in PG Carlos Arroyo and F Adam Morrison. Zoran Erceg is averaging 17.1 ppg. Other notables teams right now include the 0-16 Bandirma team. They still have 14 games left to win though.


Liga Nacional de Basquet 


The top team in the Argentina's top pro basketball league, the Liga Nacional de Basquet, is Obras from Buenos Aires. They have a 15-3 record. PF/C Juan Gutierrez is averaging 18.4 ppg (1st in the LNB), 9.0 rpg (Tied for 3rd), and 1.2 bpg (Tied for 3rd). F Tony Washam is averaging 14.1 ppg and 4.3 rpg. They shouldn't be feeling too conformable at 1st. Penoral is 15-4 and in 2nd place.

Pro Bowl Proposition: Add Mini Competitions

The Pro Bowl is the worst All-Star Game of the 4 major sports leagues in North America, no doubt. It is boring, little hype, and it is a game that is not at all on par with real football games. However, it gets great ratings (7.7 rating and 12 share).  I don't get it. They are trying to make the game more interesting by allowing players to tweet during the game. However, I doubt it will make a difference. I think the Pro Bowl needs to add what all other sports leagues have; an interesting event(s) to the excitement of the All-Star Game.  My proposition is the Pro Bowl Mini Games. 

Accuracy Competition




The 1st competition is one for QB's and how accurate they can be. There would be 8 targets around the field, 5 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards, 20 yards, 25 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards, and 50 yards away. Each target is worth the amount of yards away it is. 6 QB's would start the competition. 2 of the 6 will make the finals were they will battle it out. The QB's that I would choose  include Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Phillip Rivers.


40 Yard Dash

The 40 Yard Dash
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The 40 Yard Dash is probably the most simple of all the competitions. All you have to do is run the fastest for 40 yards. There will be 8 players to start of the match-up. The top 4 will make the finals were they will run against each other in a 40 yard dash. If I were going to pick the 8 players, I would defiantly have RB Chirs Johnson (4.24 at 2009 Combine) and WR DeSean Jackson (4.29 at his Pro Day).


Hands Competition


This a competition for wide receivers, but can also feature defensive backs. The point of the challenge is to catch the most footballs with out dropping or miss one. You finish when you drop or miss 3. 10 players  start the game but the finals only has 4. Players I would select; WR Calvin Johnson, WR Wes Welker, and CB Charles Woodson.


Power Competition

Ndamukong Suh is a ruthless player
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This competition is for hard hitting defensive players. Each player tries to push a dummy the farthest in 1 minute. There will be 10 players competing for 3 spots in the finals. In the finals, they would see who could push the dummy the full 100 yards. The finals would be the 3 of them against each other, while the qualification round is just 1 player a t a time Some of the players I  want to see in this competition would be LB Ray Lewis, DL Ndamukong Suh, LB James Harrison, and LB Brian Urlacher.


Distance Kicking Competition


This contest is where kickers kick against each other to see who is the best with accuracy and power. They will kick straight on field goals starting from the 20 yard line. A kicker who misses a kick is eliminated from the competition. When it gets down to 2 kickers and a both of them miss. They will try the spot again. If no one can make it from there they start over again. Kickers I would have in the competition would be Sebastian Janikowski, David Akers, and Nate Kaeding. 

2012 Youth Winter Olympics

2012 Youth Winter Olympics Logo
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The 1st ever Youth Winter Olympic Games just finished up in Innsbruck, Austria, 88 years after the 1st Winter Olympics. The first Youth Summer Olympics was held in 2010 in Singapore. The Youth Winter Games occur the same year as the Summer Games, while the Youth Summer Games and the Winter Games also occur during the same year. Athletes must be 15-18 years old, depending on each sport. The Games took place from January 13th to the 22nd. It is almost like a regular Olympics, same sports, Torch Relay, mascots, and an Opening and Closing Ceremony. 


There were 15 sports at this year's Youth Winter Olympics, Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Nordic Combine, Skeleton, Short Track Speed Skating, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, and Speed Skating. Here is my report on a few of them.



Alpine Skiing 


Alpine Skiing had the most competitions of any sport at 9. They were Men's and Women's Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G, Super Combine, and the Mixed Parallel Team Event. Switzerland's Sandro Simonet was victorious in the Men's Slalom. Marco Schwartz of Austria won the Men's Giant Slalom and the Super Combine. Morocco's Adam Lamhamedi got Gold in the Men's Super-G. The winner of Gold for the Women's Slalom was Slovakia's Petra Vlhova. France's Clara Direz won a gold medal in the Giant Slalom. Estelle Alphand, also of France, won the Women's Super-G. Magdalena Fjaellstroem of Sweden won the Women's Super Combine. Austria won the Mixed Parallel Team Event.


Ice Hockey


Ice Hockey had two tournaments and two Skills Competitions, one for Men and one for Women. In the Men's tournament, Finland defeated Russia 2-1 to win Gold. The game was tied at 1 and  went in to game winning shots (penalty shootout). In the shootout, Finland scored on it's 1st two tries while Russia scored none, giving the Finnish the win. Canada beat the US 7-5 in the Bronze medal game. Latvia's Augusts Valdis Vasilonoks got Gold in the Skills Competition, who won the Fastest Shot competition. 


For the girls, Sweden won it all in a 3-0 victory over Austria in the Gold Medal Game. Sweden did not lose a game all tournament, with it's biggest victory a 17-0 blowout of Kazakhstan. In the Bronze Medal Game, Germany won 7-4 against Kazakhstan. The winner of the Skills Challenge was Julie Zwarthoed of the Netherlands. She won the Fastest Shot and Puck Control contests.


Luge

The USA's Gold Winning Mixed Team Relay for Luge
IOC Young Reporter Photo by Raitis Purins

Luge in Innsbruck was very exciting. In the Men's singles competion, Germany's Christian Paffe edged out Riks Kristens Rozitis of Lativa by about 2 milliseconds. Mirian-Stefanie Kastlunger from Austia beat Saskia Langer by about 2 milliseconds for Gold in Woman's singles. Italy's Florian Gruber and Simon Kainzwaldner won the doubles Gold. USA won the Mixed Team Relay with lugers Summer Britcher, Tucker West, Ty Andersen, and Pat Edmunds. The medal leader for Luge was Germany with 1 Gold, 3 Silvers, and 1 Bronze.


Snowboarding


Ben Ferguson of the USA won the Men's Halfpipe with a best score of 93.25. Micheal Ciccarelli of Canada received Gold in the Men's Slopestyle with a score of 94.25. Hikaru Ohe of Japan won the Women's Halfpipe with a score of 96.25. Canada's Audrey McManiman won the Women's Slopestyle with a score of 84.25.


All in all, Germany had the most medals of the Games with 17 and the 8 Gold medals, most in that category. Japan and Russia both had 16 total medals. The host country Austria had 13 medals, including 6 Gold medals. The USA had 8 medals in all. Morocco and Slovakia both have 1 medal in total. Those medals is a Gold medal.

2012 MLS SuperDraft Report

Andrew Wenger at the Draft
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Montreal Impact Surprise With #1 Pick


The MLS's newest expansion franchise, the Montreal Impact, had the 1st overall in this year's SuperDraft. Many expected them to pick F Darren Mattocks from Akron. However, the Impact surprised and selected Duke's D/M Andrew Wenger with the 1st pick. The former Blue Devil scored 17 goal and had 8 assists. With the 2nd pick, the Vancouver Whitecaps selected Darren Mattocks, who had 21 goals in 22 games.


Chandler Hoffman Slides To Philadelphia 


Former UCLA Forward Chandler Hoffman was expected to be taken as high as the 3rd pick. Hoffman wasn't chosen until Philadelphia Union took him with the 13th pick. Hoffman had 18 goals and 6 assists.

2 Goalies Selected In Draft

Only 2 goalkeepers were selected in this year's draft and both were taken within 2 picks of each other in the 2nd round. First was Ryan Meara from Fordham who ha 75 saves in 18 games. He went to Red Bull New York. Second, came Chris Blais, the former goalie of South Florida, who had 60 saves last season. Blais was selected by the San Jose Earthquakes.

Silva and Maund are going to call BMO Field  home this year
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Toronto FC Gets 2 1st Round Selections


Toronto owned the 4th pick in the draft and picked Luis Silva, midfielder from UC Santa Barbara. He had 17 goals and 10 assists in 22 games. They also owned the 12th pick through a trade with the Red Bulls with them last April. With the 12th pick, Toronto selected Defenseman Aaron Maund from Notre Dame.


The Supplemental Draft


The 19 teams of the MLS are not done drafting. On Tuesday, January 17th the MLS will have it's Supplemental Draft. The draft will have 4 rounds. Also, this is the 1st year of the MLS SuperDraft having just 2 rounds. So any 3rd round SuperDraft pick becomes 1st round Supplemental pick.

New Year's Day Sports: College Football or Hockey

New Year's has historically been a day of celebration, Dick Clark, and important college football bowl games. This year is a little different due to New Year's being a Sunday, the bowl games are moved back a day so the NFL games can be played. These games include the Rose Bowl Game, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and others. However, the NHL has a new New Year's game, the Winter Classic, that is really gaining attention and views. So can the NHL and Winter Classic take over College Football as New Year's sport?

The Rose Bowl Game is a New Year's Tradition
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First, lets look at the reigning champion, college football. We looked at the history of all the games played yesterday and games that were mostly played on New Year's Eve, Day, and January 2nd. I consider January 2nd part of the New Year's celebration because the bowl games are usually not played on New Year's if New Year's is on a Sunday. 

The Rose Bowl Game has been played on January 1st and 2nd every time in the bowl's 98 game history except twice. Both times were when the Rose Bowl was also the BCS National Championship. 


The Sugar Bowl was played on December 31st, January 1st and 2nd every time from 1935 until 2000. Since the 2000, 6 games have been played on dates other tha the 1st and 2nd of January. 


The Orange Bowl was been played on December 31st, January 1st, and 2nd from 1935-2000. Since 2001, the Orange Bowl has switched dates during the 1st weeks of January. Only 5 of the games since 2001 have been played on the 1st or 2nd.


The Fiesta Bowl was first played on various dates in December from 1971-1980. Then, starting in 1982, the Fiesta Bowl was played on New Year's Eve, Day and the 2nd until 1997. Since 1999, 4 games have been played on different dates.

The Cotton Bowl was a New Year's Classic
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The Cotton Bowl Classic was played on December 31st, January 1st, or 2nd every time except once from 1935-2010. It was played on January 7th last year and will be played January 6th this year.


The Gator Bowl was played on the New Year's Eve, Day, and the 2nd 24 times from 1946-1994. Since 1996, January 1st and 2nd has been the date of the Gator Bowl.


The Outback Bowl has been played on January 1st or 2nd every time except in 1986, the 1st ever edition of the bowl.


From 1947-1986 The Capital One Bowl was played on the 1st 13 times. Since 1987, the bowl has been played on the 1st or 2nd every time.


The TicketCity Bowl has only been around for 2 years and was played on January 1st in 2011 and January 2nd in 2012.


The reason for the Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Sugar Bowl have not played all their games on January 1st or 2nd is because of the BCS. They like to spread out their games more. I think this is taking away from college football's tradition of New Year's games. 


The Winter Classic does not have as much history as some of the bowl games, but does have as much intrigue. The first regular season outdoor game was not a Winter Classic. It was on November 23, 2003 and it was between Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens in Edmonton. The idea for the game, called the Heritage Classic, came from an outdoor college hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State called the "Cold War" that attracted 74,554 fans two years prior. There has only been one other Heritage Classic, last year, in Calgary, between Calgary and Montreal in which Calgary won 4-0.

NHL Winter Classic 2011 in Philly
Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images

The idea of an outdoor game on New Year's was brought up by Executive VP of NBC Sports Jon Miller. He got the idea in 2004 and was finally approved in 2007. Buffalo hosted the first ever Winter Classic on January 1st, 2008 between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was played at Ralph Wilson Stadium and had and attendance of 71,217. The game was tied at 1 when it went into overtime and then the shootout. In the shootout, Sidney Crosby scored the goal that won it for Pittsburgh. Next, came the 2009 Winter Classic played at Wrigley Field between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings won 6-4. The next year, the Boston Bruins faced off against the Philadelphia Flyers at Fenway Park in Boston, with the game going to Boston 2-1. 365 days later, Heinz Field in Pittsburgh hosted the 2011 Winter Classic between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals, won by the Caps 3-1. And, finally, the 2012 Winter Classic between the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia. New York won 3-2.


There is a lot that is appealing about the Winter Classic. The game being played outdoors, the retro sweaters, the star players, great games, are just a few of many reasons the Winter Classic is one of the best sporting events of the year. These reasons are helping the Winter Classic become more of a tradition and more popular each year.


The 4th of July has pro, minor, and independent league baseball, Thanksgiving has the NFL, Christmas has the NBA, March has college basketball, and what does New Year's have. I think that right now college football has the edge, but, I believe hockey will soon be on par with college football. However, I don't think hockey can take over New Year's due to the number of bowl games it is up against.